Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Prominent American media figure Tucker Carlson has ignited a fresh controversy within conservative circles after arguing that the perceived threat of “radical Islam” to the United States has been exaggerated, and suggesting that the country’s close alliance with Israel has become a strategic and political burden on Washington.
Carlson’s remarks, made during an appearance on The American Conservative podcast, quickly drew intense reactions across the US right, exposing deep divisions within the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement ahead of next year’s midterm elections. According to Newsweek, the dispute highlights a widening gap between an isolationist, nationalist wing and more traditional Republicans who see strong support for Israel as a core American value.
“I don’t know a single person in the United States who has been killed by Islamic extremism in the last 24 years,” Carlson said during the interview. He argued that the most serious dangers facing Americans today are not foreign ideological threats, but internal crises such as suicide, drug addiction, and the breakdown of social cohesion.
Carlson pointed in particular to what he described as the deterioration of young white American men, citing widespread use of prescription stimulants like Adderall, excessive video gaming, pornography, and the erosion of stable job opportunities. These factors, he said, are inflicting far more damage on American society than any external enemy.
He went further, accusing the Israeli government and its supporters in the United States of promoting the idea that “radical Islam” represents the primary threat to America. Carlson described this framing as a form of political propaganda designed to shape US foreign policy and public opinion, especially in favor of continued American backing for Israel.
His comments provoked a swift backlash from several right-wing activists. Laura Loomer, a prominent figure known for her anti-Islam positions, condemned Carlson’s statements as a denial of security realities, citing past attacks such as the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida. She accused Carlson of minimizing terrorism and ignoring historical evidence.
At the same time, Carlson found vocal support from figures aligned with the “America First” current within MAGA. Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly defended him, emphasizing her personal friendship with Carlson and describing him as deeply patriotic and committed to the United States. Her stance underscored the growing influence of a faction that opposes US involvement in overseas conflicts and calls for a reassessment of longstanding alliances, particularly with Israel.
According to Newsweek, these exchanges reflect a fundamental split inside the Republican coalition. One camp, rooted in nationalist and isolationist thinking, increasingly questions whether foreign alliances serve American interests. The other, representing the party’s traditional foreign policy establishment, continues to view unwavering support for Israel as both a strategic necessity and a moral obligation.
Carlson’s criticism of Israel has become more pronounced since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023. He has repeatedly highlighted the suffering of civilians in the enclave, including children and Palestinian Christians, and has openly challenged US military and political support for Tel Aviv. This shift has further alienated him from pro-Israel conservatives while strengthening his standing among those skeptical of American interventionism.
The controversy has also carried reputational consequences. Recently, the US-based advocacy group StopAntisemitism awarded Carlson a sarcastic title, labeling him “Antisemite of the Year 2025,” a move his supporters dismiss as an attempt to silence dissent on US foreign policy.
In its assessment, Newsweek warned that these ideological rifts could complicate Republican efforts to present a unified front in upcoming elections. As debates over domestic decline, foreign entanglements, and America’s role in the world intensify, the struggle between competing visions of conservatism is likely to remain one of the defining fault lines within the US right.
